Following Local Events around Town

About fifty enthusiastic people converged at Pappalecco in Hillcrest Wednesday evening to attend a delightful wine tasting event featuring Castellani Wines from Tuscany, Italy. 

Enthusiasts paid $19 for a glass which included unlimited samplings and delicious Italian inspired appetizers provided by Pappalecco that lined the counter.    

 

This was not an ordinary wine tasting event.  Instead of the usual presentation discussing wine points, nose, body and finish, 6th generation owner Piergiorgio Castellani, entertained and delighted the audience with his intriguing and fascinating story about Sassicaia the Super Tuscan wine and the myth that pervades this prestigious wine.  Joining Piergiorgio was also another native Italian, Luca Forte who lives in San Diego, who joyously described the wine he poured. 

 

Piergiorgio explained in his native tongue Italian which was then translated to English, the fascinating legend of Tenuta San Guido, Sassicaia and how Mario Incisa della Rochetta created the first Super Tuscan wine beginning in 1967 up until about 1980. 

 

While Incisa della Rochetta enjoyed his Sassicaia wine privately on the estate, it wasn’t until an agreement with his nephew Piero Antinori who commercialized operations and increased production with sights set on exporting to an affluent U.S. market where it found phenomenal success.  And so the revolution began. 

 

Castellani’s wines are imported to the U.S. under their namesake by Mission Wine Company.  They also produce an exclusive label available through Trader Joe’s bottled under the label Grifone Primitivo which sells for a bargain under $5.  Primitivo is essentially the same grape as Zinfandel but not as spicy as its American counterpart. 

 

For the unintended: Super Tuscan is a wine produced in Tuscany made from Sangiovese grapes, blended with a small amount of Bordeaux varietals like Cabernet Sauvignon or Merlot.

Did you know that Chianti Classico is made from 100% Sangiovese grapes?  And that not all Chianti is equal?  Classico is the oldest part of the protected region in Tuscany.  Only grapes grown in the area are considered “Classico”.

 

Besides tasting and meeting new friends like Piergiorgio and Luca, part of the fun attending wine events is that there is always something new and exciting to learn. 

 

Rosario Monetti and Lou Fanucchi perform at Convivio Center  (Wednesday, July 19)

 L-R. Lorenzo Bucci, Piergiorgio Castellani, Francesco Bucci – Photo credit: Philip Cohen

 L-R. Lorenzo Bucci, Piergiorgio Castellani, Francesco Bucci – Photo credit: Philip Cohen

 

Italian tenor Rosario Monetti and accordionist Lou Fanucchi took center stage at Convivio Friday evening as a group of approximately fifty people attended this live cabaret performance. 

Because of the large space at Convivio, there was ample space to dance, as participants danced and moved to music ranging from opera arias to swing tunes and naturally, the Neapolitan classics Rosario performs so effortlessly. 

 

As the room heated up, Caffé Barbera cooled things down, serving up refreshments in particular a delicious iced mocha that everyone seemed to enjoy during the event. 

Convivio Center plans on hosting musical events and entertainment every 1st and 3rd Friday of the month so mark your calendars and make sure you are on Convivio’s mailing list to stay informed of upcoming events. 

 

The temporary art exhibit of Dutch pop artist Hayo Sol currently on display runs until the end of the month.  The curator for the artist is Martin Brouwer, owner of Amsterdam Intl Art.  If you are interested in purchasing any pieces, you are encouraged to contact Martin at 619-997-9192 or by email at cueintl@aol.com. 

 

For more information about the artist Hayo Sol, visit his website at hayosol.nl.